not the best, but good enough
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This is a decent enough read, faithful to the on-screen action and dialogue, and including all the deleted scenes from the DVD. However, it is a little too faithful to the screenplay for me, and doesn't really live up to the extensive plot and character development in the Matthew Stover novelisation of ROTS. Hence it tends to feel a little too much like 'the film in words', not really venturing beyond the family entertainment genre and leaving me craving just a little more adult bite from it. There are also instances where the writing style is not particularly elegant, contributing to the 'film of the book' feel and preventing it from standing on its own as a good sci-fi/fantasy novel. One very good thing about this version though is the much-needed emphasis on Padme - her history, political career, why she is such an influential figure, and most of all her reaction and subsequent interaction with a now grown-up Anakin, all things which were never fully explored in the film. Overall, the book did help to dispel the initial disappointment I had when the film was first released and I remain as dedicated a Star Wars fan as ever.
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a decent adaptation
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"Attack of the Clones" is the novelization of the film of the same title. This is Episode Two in the Star Wars universe. In writing this novel, R.A. Salvatore had access to the film's screenplay before the movie was ever released (and perhaps even before some scenes had been filmed). This means that scenes in the novel are likely to be identical (down to the dialogue) to what we see on screen. This is the responsibility of the author, to be extremely faithful to the source material. The opportunity that a novel provides the author is giving us additional scenes that were not in the movie, but may help give a broader picture of the story and helps flesh out the characters and their motivations a bit better. "Attack of the Clones" is a stronger adaptation because of this. After an assassination attempt on her life, Senator Padme Amidala is put into the protection of the Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi and his Padawan Anakin Skywalker. Padme is the strongest voice against creating a Republic Army and her death could lead the way to the creation of that army. The attempts on her life continue and Obi-Wan and Anakin now have to split up. Obi-Wan tracks a bounty hunter to a planet that has been removed from the Jedi Archives. Anakin is still assigned as Padme's protector and is to take her to her home planet of Naboo. Anakin still harbors a deep love for Padme that has only grown as the years have gone by. This is a much better adaptation than Terry Brooks' offering of "The Phantom Menace". Salvatore was able to take the weak dialogue of George Lucas and work it so that on the printed page the dialogue felt smoother and less forced. His additional scenes were absolutely pivotal and added emotional weight to the novel and made Anakin's pain (and love) more real. It did the same for Padme, which was sorely lacking in the film. This was a worthwhile adaptation and even made me interested in taking a look at Salvatore's other work. -Joe Sherry
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Kept interesting by the plot
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I have read Brook's novelisation of Episode 1, and it was, in essence, far more poignant and moving than Salvitore's job of Attack of the Clones. That said, I felt Salivitore's novel was more enjoyable - while I feel Brooks is by far the better writer (I believe they both write in similar genres), Salvitore just got the better movie to write about and it makes all the difference. So while he does not convey the magic,emotion and depth of the Star Wars universe to the extent that Brooks does, Salvitore's plot was superior and allowed him to get away with writing that is, while on the whole satisfactory, sometimes empty and dry. Iam sure fans will be interested to read this book, but again, Brook's novel is far more interesting and 'magical' than this.
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My Review
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I found this book to be far more expanded than the film including other pieces of dialogue not used, aswell as 2 chapters before the film begins! The book manages to tie up all of the loose ends left from the film, for example how all of the farmers who went to save Shmi Skywalker got massacred ( and its not pretty ).
The whole book complements the film perfectly, and contains a few hints about the next film.
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R. A. Salvatore fills in the gaps the film left open!
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R. A. Salvatore brings an even wider version of Attack Of THe Clones to fans of Star Wars than George Lucas epic film. Widening and deeping the plotline of the battle between Padme Amidala, Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi, as they face off against Count Dooku and Jango Fett in the opening stages of the Clone War. Based 10 years after the events of Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones opens with a failed assasination attempt on Senator Padme Amidala (former Queen of Naboo). At the request of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine Padme is put under the protection of two old friends Jedi Padawan Anakin Skywalker, and his master, the wise Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kendobi. These three old friends are soon embroiled in the battle to stop the evil Count Dooku and his seperatist movement from ripping the Republic apart. The two Jedi and the former Queen must battle Bounty Hunters like the Armour Clad Jango Fett and the mysterious Zam Wessel, Trade Federation Droids, and other terrifying aliens in this gripping tale of Good Vs Evil. Jonatahn Davies brings to life this epic tale of Love, Intrigue and Heroism with the help of original Star Wars music and effects. You will love this book. Like The Phantom Menace novelisation before it, it fills in the gaps left open be the film. Salvatore should be applauded for expanding on all the little details that the film could not fit into its runtime. As she shows the subtlties of the Anakin/Padme romance, the deepening shadow fo war, and the beginnings of Anakins burgeoning Dark Side! Buy this book. It will enthrall you just as much as the film, possibly even more!
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